SF Court Too Lenient on Property Crimes, Critics Charge

In June, the Santa Clara County ballot will feature California's first judge recall measure in 86 years. (Photo: Getty Images)

San Franciscans frustrated with a Superior Court they deem too lenient on property crime are pointing to the example of a convicted auto burglar indicted on 20 counts back in April. According to a recent San Francisco Chronicle column, DeShawn Patton could be released on probation instead of serving a longer prison sentence. Although reports of car break-ins have gone down 20 percent in 2018, property crime as a whole increased 15 percent from 2016-2017. We'll discuss what this case could mean for property crime deterrence in San Francisco and how to tackle meaningful criminal justice reform while keeping our streets safe.